Peoria Housing Authority Observer Report

​Chairman Cannon opened the Oct 7 Monthly Meeting at 4:30 pm with Commissioners Renee Andrews and Kim Furness absent.  There were four individuals who spoke during Community Comments. 

• First, was a resident of Harrison Homes, a young mother of four children who stated her apartment had issues with sewer back up, odor and lack of water over approximately 5 months.   While maintenance had responded to this situation, it was not resolved.  Executive Director of PHA, Ms. Newman was present, as well as Harrison manager, who met with the resident before she left the meeting.  Chairman Cannon, as well as Ms. Newman apologized to the resident and committed to resolve this issue and provide a safe environment for her and her children. 
• The second resident also resided at Harrison Homes.  She expressed concern for overall safety for her and her children.  Resident had been shot while on her porch in July and was reluctant to allow her children to play outside due to gun violence.  Commissioner Cannon responded that the Board would be voting at the meeting to expand security services at the site and that security cameras and lighting had been recently upgraded.  Commissioner King expressed her concern and apologized to resident for her experiences.
• The third speaker was a family member of a woman residing at Taft Homes.  She expressed concern about the locked gates throughout the complex making it difficult for children walking to and from school or to get the bus and forcing them to walk along busy, highly trafficked roadway and plan for clearing sidewalks and roadway in complex during winter.  She expressed frustration that gates being locked appeared to be punishment on those living there, as well as visitors.  Another concern was how emergency vehicles would easily access the complex.  Ms. Newman informed family member that EMT’s had access to KNOX Box for keys to gates, mentioned communication on complex by way of newsletter for residents, including security cameras, and making changes in when gates open for safety of school children walking to nearby schools or bus.  PHA Security Officer briefly discussed updating list of persons not allowed on PHA property, new trespass policy and that there was decrease in unlawful acts by non-residents.

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• Lastly, Reverend Irene Lewis thanked Ms. Newman for recent meeting to discuss use of meeting room at Harrison Homes for church services, that she had secured liability insurance and asking for update. Ms.  Newman explained that PHA liability needed to be addressed for any activities on site, and she had not received written agreement, as well as time to upgrade space per PHA policies.

New employee, Manager of Supportive Services, was introduced.  Three Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) graduates were recognized.  The minutes of the regular session meeting minutes of September 3, 2019 were reviewed and approved.
Chief Executive Officer’s Report:  discussed the FSS program’s importance to residents and encouraged them to participate, as this program may not always be available.  PHA recently achieved 98% occupancy of units, meeting HUD regulatory compliance.  796 units out of 818 were occupied.  Thanks were expressed to the many staff and departments who worked together to achieve this outcome. 
Reports were unanimously accepted by consent agenda.  Resolutions:  to write-off tenant accounts receivable determine uncollectible approved; approved to award contract for security services at Harrison, Taft, and Sterling Towers; approved  to award contract modifying seasonal mowing in amount $22,000; approved PHA contract administrator agreement with the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) for purpose of its grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Resident Opportunity & Self Sufficiency Program (required by HUD due to past troubled status; approved by SHA earlier in day); approved the FY2020-2014 5-year and FY2020 Annual Agency Plan to submit to HUD no later than 10-15-2019; approved to amend FSS Action Plan.  From time to time, PHA required to review its FSS Action Plan for Compliance with U.S. HUD rules, regulations and notices; approved to amend tenant lease agreement (PHA, from time to time, required to review leases and make adjustment to assure it is in compliance with Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP); approved to amend Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP) – PHA required to review its Admissions and Occupancy plan for compliance the HUD regulations, notices and Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) requirements as well as compliance with HUD Approved Assess Management – Stop Loss Submission.  Resolution #090319-02 Re Contract for River West Management was tabled till November.
Audit and Finance Committee met earlier that day.  A representative from Clifton Larsen Allen LLP presented the results of the audit for year ending 12/31/2018 and issued report dated 9/27/2019.   Twelve areas for improvement to meet HUD were identified for FY ending 12/31/2018.  Corrective action plans are in place with completion dates and person accountable for each item.  Implementation of new computer system will allow for improved reconciliation of inter-fund accounts and more timely reports for recertification and inspections.  In addition, PHA is in process of hiring a Program Integrity Specialist to conduct audit for quality control purposes. 
No Old Business or New Business discussion.  At 5:43 pm., the Board went into Closed Session.  Chairman Cannon informed those present the Board would return to open session but did not expect to vote.  This observer left at this time.  Meeting Agenda was posted on website on October 7, 2019 and was available at the meeting.  Board packet was not posted online; copy of Board packet was made available to this observer at end of meeting.
Connie Romanus, Observer